Multi-million dollar Kenosha Innovation Center era opens

A new era of innovation has begun in the heart of Kenosha.

On the site where an AMC and Chrysler once employed generations in innovating vehicles, the Kenosha Innovation Center — a three-story hub of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood — formally opened for business Wednesday.

The $23.5 million center project, under construction for more than a year, is touted as a site for entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, Gov. Tony Evers called the center’s opening an “incredible milestone” for Kenosha. He said he couldn’t wait to see “all of the impacts it will have on the greater Kenosha community over the years to come.”

Four years ago, Evers established the Neighborhood Investment Fund program with the use of federal stimulus funding from the pandemic. Approximately $14 million was awarded to the KIN to help establish the innovation center. About $1 million from the fund also assisted in securing LakeView Technology Academy as the innovation neighborhood’s first tenant.

“For me, its Kenosha coming together, working together, solving problems, investing in the future. It’s more about the people and … coming together behind the project,” Evers said. “They’re going to be creating business and they’re going to be supporting businesses, young people, people that have a dream, giving them the skills and the wherewithal to be successful ... When they’re successful, Kenosha’s successful and the state is successful.”

Tim Mahone, KIN Board chair, said the site is tied to the energy left by generations of United Autoworkers Local 72.

“The strength of the UAW on this site is the power by which we’re running this facility today,” said Mahone, who is also chair of the Mahone Fund. “This is not dominion, this is just kind of my personal take as a young kid growing up and watching our families and the economic vitality …We’ve all been touched by that energy on this site.”

He called the innovation neighborhood a “tangible connection” between the center and the community.

Tenants, partners

Kelly Armstrong, president of the innovation neighborhood, welcomed the site’s first eight tenants and recognized partners working with them to provide on-site training, mentorship and other resources.

Kivi Bio, M3 Insurance, Gateway Capital Partners, Mastercraft Ventures, Private Grooming, Carthage College,the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Wintrust Kenosha are the first tenants of the Kenosha Innovation Center. Partners include Michael Best, Microsoft and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

“Together, we’re not just opening doors for startups, be we’re unlocking pathways for new industries, new jobs and new opportunities that will ripple for generations,” Armstrong said.

KIN Board Vice Chair Mark Fedyk, president and COO of Jockey International, acknowledged both retired mayor John Antaramian, who envisioned the innovation neighborhood, and current Mayor David Bogdala, who was then District 17 alderman when the plan was conceived.

Fedyk said they made the “generational decision” with the City Council to place the development and management of the site in the hands of an independent governing board. The 107-acre Chrysler property had become fallow after thousands were laid off when the auto plant closed in 2010.

“Innovation and growth does not happen in isolation. It happens when people come together and they start pulling in the same direction,” he said.

‘For our young people’

Bogdala said the center is a place where the “hopes and dreams” of young people can be realized.

“The most important piece is for our young people. Making sure they have the opportunities and access to capital, access to training, access to their dreams. All that is going to happen right here at the innovation center,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the next entrepreneur, the next big invention ... that is going to be made here by a young person who was either born here or came to Kenosha because they have the opportunity, the training and the wherewithal to help lift those dreams and bring them about. That’s what I’m excited to see,” he said.